Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    Best of 2021OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersGolden GlobesEmmysSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In

The Howling

  • 19811981
  • RR
  • 1h 31m
IMDb RATING
6.6/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,642
448
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone, and Dee Wallace in The Howling (1981)
Trailer 2 for The Howling
Play trailer1:35
5 Videos
99+ Photos
Horror

After a bizarre and near deadly encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem.After a bizarre and near deadly encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem.After a bizarre and near deadly encounter with a serial killer, a television newswoman is sent to a remote mountain resort whose residents may not be what they seem.

IMDb RATING
6.6/10
34K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,642
448
  • Director
    • Joe Dante
  • Writers
    • Gary Brandner(based on the novel by)
    • John Sayles(screenplay by)
    • Terence H. Winkless(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Dee Wallace
    • Patrick Macnee
    • Dennis Dugan
Top credits
  • Director
    • Joe Dante
  • Writers
    • Gary Brandner(based on the novel by)
    • John Sayles(screenplay by)
    • Terence H. Winkless(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • Dee Wallace
    • Patrick Macnee
    • Dennis Dugan
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 245User reviews
    • 154Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 wins & 3 nominations

    Videos5

    The Howling
    Trailer 1:35
    The Howling
    The Howling
    Trailer 1:29
    The Howling
    The Howling - Rialto Pictures Trailer
    Trailer 1:32
    The Howling - Rialto Pictures Trailer
    The Howling
    Clip 3:21
    The Howling
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 28
    Video 28:11
    Sneak Previews Season 3 Episode 28

    Photos145

    Christopher Stone and Dee Wallace in The Howling (1981)
    Elisabeth Brooks in The Howling (1981)
    John Carradine, Slim Pickens, James Murtaugh, and Noble Willingham in The Howling (1981)
    Don McLeod in The Howling (1981)
    Slim Pickens, James Murtaugh, and Dee Wallace in The Howling (1981)
    Elisabeth Brooks in The Howling (1981)
    Christopher Stone in The Howling (1981)
    Belinda Balaski in The Howling (1981)
    Christopher Stone in The Howling (1981)
    Robert Picardo in The Howling (1981)
    The Howling (1981)
    The Howling (1981)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Dee Wallace
    Dee Wallace
    • Karen Whiteas Karen White
    Patrick Macnee
    Patrick Macnee
    • Dr. George Waggneras Dr. George Waggner
    Dennis Dugan
    Dennis Dugan
    • Chrisas Chris
    Christopher Stone
    Christopher Stone
    • R. William 'Bill' Neillas R. William 'Bill' Neill
    Belinda Balaski
    Belinda Balaski
    • Terry Fisheras Terry Fisher
    Kevin McCarthy
    Kevin McCarthy
    • Fred Francisas Fred Francis
    John Carradine
    John Carradine
    • Erle Kentonas Erle Kenton
    Slim Pickens
    Slim Pickens
    • Sam Newfieldas Sam Newfield
    Elisabeth Brooks
    Elisabeth Brooks
    • Marshaas Marsha
    Robert Picardo
    Robert Picardo
    • Eddieas Eddie
    Margie Impert
    • Donnaas Donna
    Noble Willingham
    Noble Willingham
    • Charlie Bartonas Charlie Barton
    James Murtaugh
    James Murtaugh
    • Jerry Warrenas Jerry Warren
    James MacKrell
    • Lew Landersas Lew Landers
    • (as Jim McKrell)
    Kenneth Tobey
    Kenneth Tobey
    • Older Copas Older Cop
    Don McLeod
    Don McLeod
    • T.C. Quistas T.C. Quist
    Dick Miller
    Dick Miller
    • Walter Paisleyas Walter Paisley
    Steve Nevil
    • Young Copas Young Cop
    • Director
      • Joe Dante
    • Writers
      • Gary Brandner(based on the novel by)
      • John Sayles(screenplay by)
      • Terence H. Winkless(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    Storyline

    Edit
    In a red light district, newswoman Karen White is bugged by the police, investigating serial killer Eddie Quist, who has been molesting her through phone calls. After police officers find them in a peep-show cabin and shoot Eddie, Karen becomes emotionally disturbed and loses her memory. Hoping to conquer her inner demons, she heads for the Colony, a secluded retreat where the creepy residents are rather too eager to make her feel at home. There also seems to be a bizarre connection between Eddie Quist and this supposedly safe haven. And when, after nights of being tormented by unearthly cries, Karen ventures into the forest and makes a terrifying discovery. —Tim Kretschmann <Tim.K@VirComm.com>
    werewolfsilver bulletpsychiatristforestfemale full frontal nudity150 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • What she has witnessed, she cannot escape. What he has become, he cannot control. And what you experience, no one will believe until they come face to face with the inhuman fear that is the howling.
    • Genre
      • Horror
    • Certificate
      • R
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Rick Baker was originally doing the special effects for this movie, but he left to do An American Werewolf in London (1981), leaving the effects job for this movie in the hands of assistant Rob Bottin. Both this movie and "American Werewolf" were released the same year and both received praise for their makeup work.
    • Goofs
      Slim Pickens is shot twice with the shots coming almost on top of each other in quick succession. However, he is shot with a manual bolt-action rifle making that impossible.
    • Quotes

      Eddie Quist: I'm gonna give you a piece of my mind. I trusted you, Karen.

      [He proceeds to pull a piece of brain out of a bullet hole in his head]

    • Crazy credits
      At the very end of the credits, there is a brief clip from The Wolf Man (1941).
    • Alternate versions
      In the French video version (TF1) The scene where "Eddie" rips a bullet out of his forehead just before turning into a werewolf is missing. The theater version was uncut though.
    • Connections
      Featured in Sneak Previews: Hardly Working/The Howling/'Breaker' Morant/Mon Oncle D'Amerique/Caveman (1981)
    • Soundtracks
      Howling Chicken
      Written by Rick Fienhage and Joyce Fienhage

    User reviews245

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    it starts slowly but it's pure fun at its conclusion
    I never understood why joe dante's movies are so unfairly rated here. Not even a 7? Most of his movies are great, they show how passionate he is about cinema, how he wants the viewer to be engaged and fascinated about what he's seeing. The special effects are great in general, and we're talking about 1981. It starts slowly, not in a boring way but a bit slowly, and it builds the atmosphere throughout the first hour. The last half an hour it's just pure fun that you see with a smile in your eyes, laughing and being scared at the same time.

    It's just that type of movie where you get what you're waiting for, and your expectations are in place. Joe Dante knows how to build an amosphere, how to make the characters scary but not terrifying and mostly what i really love about it is how he's committed to the amusement of the audience. I liked this one as much as an american werewolf in london. It's not my favourite joe dante movie (i think matinee still wins) but it's cinema gold. Go and check it, it does deserve it. Dante is one of the most underrated directors ever,
    helpful•5
    0
    • quaseprovisorio
    • Mar 23, 2020

    FAQ11

    • Why did Erle Kenton attempt to kill himself?
    • Why did Eddie give Chris his rifle back before transforming?
    • What is 'The Howling' about?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 10, 1981 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Hurlements
    • Filming locations
      • Mendocino Woodlands Camp - 39350 Little Lake Road, Mendocino, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Embassy Pictures
      • International Film Investors
      • Wescom Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $17,985,893
    • Gross worldwide
      • $17,985,893
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 31 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1(original & negative ratio / European theatrical ratio)

    Related news

    Werewolf Classic The Howling Is Coming To 4K Next Year
    Werewolf Classic The Howling Is Coming To 4K Next Year
    Nov 30Slash Film
    Horror Highlights: Alligator, Hammer Films, From
    Horror Highlights: Alligator, Hammer Films, From
    Nov 29DailyDead

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, Christopher Stone, and Dee Wallace in The Howling (1981)
    Top Gap
    By what name was The Howling (1981) officially released in India in Hindi?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    View image
    Photos
    Hollywood Romances: Our Favorite Couples
    See the entire gallery
    Image caption not available
    1:23
    New Holiday Picks to Stream in 2021
    Watch the video

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads

    © 1990-2021 by IMDb.com, Inc.